IOL|Published
According to Kaspersky’s latest survey in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region, almost every second respondent from South Africa uses AI‑powered tools for work-related tasks, and a third actively leverages AI for preparing resumes.
Despite AI’s popularity and convenience for solving multiple tasks, its role in the employment process sparks debate.
Some argue that AI offers tremendous advantages by tailoring applications to each vacancy and incorporating the right keywords to pass automated screening systems. Others warn that relying on AI can lead to generic phrasing and a loss of personal touch.
To help job seekers turn AI into their ally, Kaspersky provides practical guidance on how to enhance your CV with AI while maintaining security and authenticity.
Protect Your Privacy: Remove Confidential Details Before Submitting Resumes to Chatbots
Before submitting your resumes to a chatbot, be sure to remove all confidential details: name, phone number, home address, email, company names, and any document scans. Every language model you interact with is trained on the data you provide, which means there is always a risk that the AI could inadvertently expose your information to other users.
Therefore, before using any chatbot, check the settings and disable the option that allows the AI to learn from your queries. Also, verify that the service provides a comprehensive privacy policy. And remember the golden rule: never submit anything to the chatbot that you don't want to accidentally stumble upon on the Internet.
Optimising Your CV for AI and Human Review in Applicant Tracking Systems
Most large and mid‑size companies already use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) – HR software that collects and sorts candidate applications. Modern ATS and other HR platforms increasingly embed AI tools that automatically track and filter every submitted CV.
However, even if your CV clears the initial AI screening, an HR professional will later review it, and an AI‑generated style may diminish their impression. So, you may tailor your resume for AI-recruiters, but it’s highly recommended to still focus on human readers while preparing it.
Draft Your Resume with AI: Highlight Key Points and Avoid Clichés
Start by drafting your resume yourself, highlighting the points you consider most important. Then consult the AI. In this context, the AI should act as an editor, refining your wording, improving structure, and emphasising the experience that’s relevant to the specific role. Otherwise, you risk ending up with clichéd phrases and a misrepresentation of your skills and experience.
Kaspersky experts share some extra tips to make job searching processes more secure:
- Always check the links that are sent to you by mail or in messengers, whether it's a link to a vacancy, a video call, or a test assignment. Some links may lead to phishing or malware resources. Use a reliable security solution with AI-powered scam protection, like Kaspersky Premium.
- Use unique and complex passwords for every service. Store all credentials and financial data in a password manager for extra protection, autofill, and cross-device synchronisation.
- Be careful with the offers that are too good to be true. Before sending any personal data, try to collect more information about the employer and verify the authenticity of the resources.
- Avoid posting the full resume publicly on social networks. Instead, keep a concise profile and provide the complete document on request.
The survey was conducted at the request of Kaspersky in 2026. The study sample included 1,000 interviews in South Africa.